Abstract: This disclosure is directed to therapeutic compositions, and more particularly to microparticle compositions for the controlled delivery of telmisartan and actinomycin D.

Abstract: A nanosystem and methods of treating, including prophylactically, coronavirus infections, such as those caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), by administering such nanosystem to a patient is presented. The nanosystem may be comprised of a single or a combination of therapeutic agents, optionally encapsulated in a nanoparticle having a targeting moiety directed to the particular coronavirus. For CoV-2 infections, at least one therapeutic agent, such as the dual DPP4/ACE2 inhibitor sitagliptin, may optionally be encapsulated within a nanoparticle having a fatty acid such as linoleic acid, as the targeting moiety. Administration can occur intranasally prior to infection for prophylactic treatment or post-infection for treatment of the viral infection.

Abstract: A multi-functional broad-spectrum antiviral and anti-inflammatory nanosystem and methods of treating, including prophylactically, coronavirus infections, such as those caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), by administering such nanosystem to a patient is presented. The nanosystem may be comprised of a combination of therapeutic agents directed to the particular coronavirus encapsulated in a nanoparticle that is surface coated with a targeting moiety. For CoV-2 infections, an antiviral such as the PPAR-? agonist leriglitazone (LG) and an siRNA targeting a conserved sequence of the virus can be encapsulated within a nanoparticle surface coated with a fatty acid such as linoleic acid, as the targeting moiety. Administration can occur intranasally prior to infection for prophylactic treatment or post-infection for treatment of the viral infection.

Abstract: This invention provides for a RSV-targeted nanoparticle PMN (RTPMN), combining HR2D anti-fusion peptide, and plasmid encoded siRNA against RSV-NS1 and/or RSV-P gene as a safe, effective and inexpensive anti-RSV prophylaxis and/or therapy.

Abstract: Method for increasing efficiency of a pathogen inactivation via enhancing UVC light absorption at such pathogen by multiple diffuse scattering of the light at a wall defining a substantially closed volume, thereby increasing a number of angles at which the pathogen is being irradiate as compared with a direct irradiation of the pathogen with a beam of such light.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides novel gravitational flow assays for detecting an antigen in a biological sample using DNA-capture sequences. Specifically, gravitational flow assays and methods of detecting viruses, including coronaviruses, are provided.

Abstract: This invention provides for a RSV-targeted nanoparticle PMN (RTPMN), combining HR2D anti-fusion peptide, and plasmid encoded siRNA against RSV-NS1 and/or RSV-P gene as a safe, effective and inexpensive anti-RSV prophylaxis and/or therapy.

Abstract: Provided are methods of detecting antigens in a sample by methods using a nanoparticle-enhanced enzymatic immune bio sensor. Methods of detecting abnormal kidney function in a subject and methods of detecting cancer in a subject are provided. Also provided are kits for detecting antigens.

Abstract: The invention relates to the methods to increase populations of cancer stem cells (CSCs), including human CSCs, using, for example, a FiSS™ (fiber-inspired smart scaffold) platform, a scaffold for cell culture comprising an electrospun mixture of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and a block copolymer of polylactic acid (PLA) and monomethoxypolyethylene glycol (mPEG). As an example, we demonstrated that MCF-7 cells grown on FiSScsc developed into well-formed single-cell tumoroids (SCTs), showing a ˜3-fold increase in the cancer stem cell (CSC) population versus similar-passage cells grown as monolayers. This increase was further potentiated when the first-generation tumoroids were used to grow second- and third-generation tumoroids. Additionally, we scaled-up the cell culturing protocol from, for example, a 96-well plate to, for example, a 6-well plate, with no loss in the induction of CSCs.

Abstract: The invention pertains to biomarkers for clinical detection of malignancies, especially for early detection of cancers. More specifically, this invention pertains to the role of Natriuretic Peptide Receptor A (NPRA) in cancer (e.g., tumor) progression. Thus, the invention includes materials and methods for the detection and prognosis of malignancies. The invention also pertains to methods for treating malignancies.

Abstract: Test kit has a cellulose filter paper with a flow rate of about 0.04 to about 0.4 ml/min/cm2, such that rapid screening may be made using bodily fluids, such as blood, serum and plasma. A process for using a rapid test kit may include a buffer diluting a sample and presenting it directly on a test area of the test kit, then adding a staining reagent, such as protein A conjugated with colloidal gold, and adding a destaining buffer. The rapid test uses whole blood, serum and plasma and is completed in less than two minutes. The use of whole blood provides for a test procedure capable of being used in the field and in doctor's offices as a simple, inexpensive screening test.

Abstract: The invention pertains to biomarkers for clinical detection of malignancies, especially for early detection of cancers. More specifically, this invention pertains to the role of Natriuretic Peptide Receptor A (NPRA) in cancer (e.g., tumor) progression. Thus, the invention includes materials and methods for the detection and prognosis of malignancies. The invention also pertains to methods for treating malignancies.

Abstract: A rapid test kit may have a genetic probe, and antibody detecting probe or a combination of a genetic probe and an antibody detecting probe disposed within one or more test windows of the test kit. A cellulose filter paper membrane with a flow rate selected in a range of about 0.04 to about 0.4 ml/min/cm2 is used in one example. The test kit provides for rapid screening for DNA, RNA or fragments of DNA or RNA in a bodily fluid or antibodies indicating exposure to such DNA/RNA. The genetic probe may include single stranded DNA or a fragment of single stranded DNA, such as primer, immobilized on the filter paper, and a single stranded DNA, such as the same or a different primer, conjugated with a marker, such as a nanotube or nanoparticle. For example, a gold nanoparticle or a carbon nanotube may be used as a staining agent by conjugating the gold nanoparticle or the carbon nanotube to a genetic probe, such as a DNA primer capable of binding with a complementary DNA or viral RNA or a fragment of one of these.

Abstract: A rapid test kit has a cellulose filter paper with a flow rate selected in a range of about 0.04 to about 0.4 ml/min/cm2, such that rapid screening for disease or other conditions amendable to detection of antibodies or antigens may be made using bodily fluids, such as blood, serum and plasma. In one example of a process for using a rapid test kit, a diluting buffer dilutes a sample of a bodily fluid and is presented directly on a test area of the test kit, then a staining reagent, such as protein A conjugated with colloidal gold or another chromophore is added to the test area, and a destaining buffer is added to improve background contrast. By combining antigens capable of detecting antibodies of infectious and/or non-infectious agents, the rapid test has improved specificity and sensitivity compared to other tests, while using whole blood, serum and plasma in less than two minutes.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to nanoparticles, comprising a metal and/or polymer core, with 7-alpha hydroxylase, or an enzymatically active fragment thereof, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and antibodies, or antibody fragments, specific for low density lipoprotein (LDL), attached to the core. The invention also concerns methods for reducing LDL cholesterol in a human or animal subject by administering nanoparticles of the invention. In a preferred embodiment, both circulating LDL and plasma cholesterol levels are reduced in the subject.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for treatment of allergic diseases by administering a natriuretic hormone peptide (NHP), or a nucleic acid sequence encoding NHP, to a patient in need thereof. In another aspect, the present invention concerns an expression vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding NHP. In another aspect, the present invention concerns a host cell genetically modified with a nucleic acid sequence encoding NHP. In another aspect, the present invention concerns a pharmaceutical composition comprising NHP or a nucleic acid sequence encoding NHP and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In another aspect, the present invention pertains to novel fragments of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) exhibiting bronchodilatory and anti-inflammatory activity, and isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding the fragments.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a nano-based sensing device (a sensor) comprising a nano-scale working electrode that can be used for the ultra-sensitive detection of blood analytes, disease biomarkers, and other target molecules. The present invention also pertains to a method for detecting target molecules using the sensor as the sensor element of a microfluidic device.

Abstract: This invention pertains to inhibitors of atrial natriuretic peptide receptor A (NPRA) function, such as small interfering RNA (siRNA), useful for reducing the inflammation associated with many human diseases, such as asthma, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, and cancers (such as melanoma, lung cancer, and/or ovarian cancer) by interfering with NPRA gene expression or otherwise reducing NPRA function within a subject; and methods for treating a subject suffering from, or at risk of developing, an inflammatory disease, respiratory allergy (such as allergic rhinitis and asthma), viral infection, and/or cancer by administering such NPRA inhibitors to the subject.

Abstract: This invention pertains to polynucleotides, such as small interfering RNA (siRNA), useful for reducing the expression of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) genes within a subject; and methods for treating a patient suffering from, or at risk of developing, an RSV infection by administering such polynucleotides to the subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides particles comprising chitosan, or a derivative thereof, useful as delivery vehicles for polynucleotides encoding polypeptides, compositions comprising such particles and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and methods for delivering polynucleotides using such particles. Optionally, the particles of the invention further comprise a lipid component. The present invention further provides a method for enhancing interferon-gamma expression to regulate the production of cytokines secreted by T-helper type 2 (Th2) cells within a subject by administering an effective amount of a particle of the subject invention to the subject, wherein the particle comprises a polynucleotide encoding interferon-gamma.